About
The Vizcaya Teen Environmental Council (VTEC) is a teen-led program for 10th- or 11th-grade students during the 2026–2027 school year. It meets weekly on Thursdays from 4:30–6:30 p.m., with Semester A running from October through the end of November and Semester B running from January through the end of February. Students can choose Semester A, Semester B, or both, and participants receive a monthly stipend and earn service hours.
Programs
- Vizcaya Teen Environmental Council (VTEC) — 10th- or 11th-grade students during the 2026–2027 school year · Weekly on Thursdays, 4:30–6:30 p.m.; Semester A: Thursdays, October through end of November; Semester B: Thursdays, January through end of February
At a glance
- Ages: 15–17 years old
- Current session: Semester A (Oct 1–Nov 30, 2026); Semester B (Jan 1–Feb 28, 2027)
- General schedule: VTEC meets weekly on Thursdays from 4:30–6:30 p.m.
- Facility hours: Open daily except Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
About the provider
VTEC has a history of engaging students since 1953. The program’s mission says it empowers high school students to become changemakers in their communities through urban agriculture, sustainability, and environmental leadership. VTEC members take part in hands-on projects and outreach, and the program promotes environmental awareness, food justice, and environmental stewardship.
- School Tours — 2nd-12th grade students · Two-hour guided tours · Reserved for the Main House and Gardens; presented in English; inquiry-based, object-based, peer-to-peer discussions, and hands-on activities.
- A Day in the Life of Vizcaya — 2nd-12th · Two-hour tour · Visit the Main House and Gardens to understand how Vizcaya was enjoyed and experienced by staff and guests of James Deering. Students learn about life in 1910s Miami.
- Visual Vizcaya — 2nd-12th · Two-hour tour · Discover Vizcaya’s collection and artistic traditions through exploration and artmaking. Students practice plein air painting with a watercolor activity in the gardens.
- Environmental Exploration — 2nd-12th · Two-hour tour
- Design & Engineering — 2nd-5th · Two-hour tour · Discuss Vizcaya’s unique design and explore concepts of architecture, engineering, and geometry through hands-on activities and exploration.
- Geography and Exploration — 2nd-5th · Two-hour tour · Learn about Vizcaya’s cultural exchange and how South Florida’s geography contributed to the shaping of Vizcaya. Students participate in a scavenger hunt using maps and compasses.
- VTEC culminating event — Semester B culminating event
To apply, students must be a 10th- or 11th-grade student during the 2026–2027 school year, commit to weekly Thursday sessions, complete the online application by Sunday, September 13, 2026, and attend one informational session (virtual or in-person). Teens can choose Semester A, Semester B, or both. Participants receive a monthly stipend and earn service hours.
Last updated September 22, 2026.
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